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BBC&S alumni head new Biblical Counseling Coalition

BBC&S alumni head new Biblical Counseling Coalition

Two BBC&S alumni are leading a new association for biblical counselors.

Dr. Steve Viars ('82) and Dr. Robert Kelleman ('81) serve as president and executive director respectively of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. The new organization exists to strengthen churches, para-church organizations, and educational institutions by promoting excellence and unity in biblical counseling as a means to accomplish compassionate outreach and effective discipleship.

As a support for counselors, pastors, and those seeking counseling, the coalition offers free materials, including daily interactive blog posts, book reviews, and written, audio and video resources.

Roots at BBC&SDr. Viars leads a growing ministry at Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette, IN. In addition to his undergraduate degree from BBC, he holds degrees from Grace Theological Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary. He served as the keynote speaker at the 2010 BBC Church Ministries Conference and is the author of the new book, "Putting Your Past in its Place."

"Practically everyday I become more thankful for the foundation I received at BBC," Dr. Viars said. "The encouragement I was given to love God and his Word have been a constant source of instruction and guidance. My BBC education has been invaluable in my work with helping to launch an organization like the Biblical Counseling Coalition."

Dr. Kellemen has served in pastoral ministries and as a professor in biblical higher education. In addition to his undergraduate degree from BBC, he holds degrees from Grace Theological Seminary and Kent State University. A licensed clinical professional counselor, he has authored five books, is the founder and CEO of RPM Ministries, and serves as executive director of the Association of Biblical Counselors' Center for Church Equipping.

"The BCC and BBC are not only similar in the letters that make up our organizations. We are similar in our commitment to ministry that reflects what Paul shared with the believers in I Thessalonians 2:8: 'We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.'"

Commitment to God's WordThe passion behind the Biblical Counseling Coalition is to promote personal change centered on the person of Christ. Its vision is for the entire church to speak God's truth in love in order to help people grow in grace, and to see that as the Word of God is imparted through counseling, discipleship, small group ministries, and spiritual friendship in the Body of Christ, relationships are deepened and people are sharpened by one another.

Available to all biblical counselors, the coalition promotes living and speaking God's truth in love. It is neither nouthetic nor parakletic in its views of counseling.

Nouthetic counseling consists of lovingly confronting people out of deep concern in order to help them make changes that God requires. Parakletic counseling is an along-side type of ministry, including giving comfort and counsel through trials that may be a result of living in sinful world.

The BCC is not just Christian counseling but also biblical counseling, drawing attention to Christ and His Word. The BCC welcomes all biblical counselors involved in various aspects of counseling.

Counseling at BBC&SBBC&S offers a degree programs in Biblical counseling at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Baptist Bible College & Seminary offers an outstanding Christian education through on-campus, online, and other distance learning options. Students go beyond the ordinary, learning to learn and serve with excellence as they gain critical leadership and life skills.